Special Gram Sabhas are being held in all Gram Panchayats under Digital India Week in Madhya Pradesh. Information is being given to villagers about software and computer applications being used to ease functioning of Gram Panchayats and bring about transparency.Turn-by-turn, Special Gram Sabhas will be held in all Panchayats till July 7.Information is being given at Gram Sabhas about software developed under E-Panchayat Programme, local gram directory (lGD) and area profiler. Information is also being disseminated about applications useful of Panchayats’ functioning. Villagers are being made aware of Panchayats’ fiscal management transparency through effective use of Panchayat Darpan portal evolved for internal fund transfer facility of 3-tier Panchayats.
Awareness is also being enhanced about various public utility services at public facilitation centres set up in rural areas. Villagers are also being informed about process to avail benefits through these centres. These include birth-death certificates, income certificate, senior citizen certificate, maps, land records etc. Information is also being given about ways to avail benefits of micro finance, loan distribution, payment of wages and pension through ultra small banks and post offices in Panchayats. People are also being apprised of process of exchange of information between Panchayats, state and Central governments. Information pertaining to computerised arrangements for Panchayats self-services and taxation including recovery of property tax, water tax and electricity bills is also being given.
Under Digital India Week, villagers are being informed about functioning of ultra small banks and process of money transaction. Awareness about facilities through Samagra Portal is also being brought about. In the villages having been connected with internet, Panchayat representatives and people are being motivated through screening of video films on Panchayats’ empowerment and powers. It has been decided to reward one best Panchayat and 2 best employees in every district in the context of activities to be held in Gram Panchayats during the week. Panchayats and Rural Development Department has appointed nodal officers for all districts for inspection of Gram Panchayats. These nodal officers will select best Panchayats and best employees by attending activities in Gram Sabhas under Digital India Week.